diatom

[dahy-uh-tuhm, -tom]

noun

1. any of numerous microscopic, unicellular, marine or freshwater algae of the phylum Chrysophyta, having cell walls containing silica.

diatom

/ -ˌtɒm, ˈdaɪətəm /

noun

1. any microscopic unicellular alga of the phylum Bacillariophyta , occurring in marine or fresh water singly or in colonies, each cell having a cell wall made of two halves and impregnated with silica See also diatomite

diatom

1. Any of various one-celled aquatic organisms of the class Bacillariophyceae that have hard bivalve shells (called frustules) composed mostly of silica, can perform photosynthesis, and often live in colonies. They make up a large portion of the marine plankton and are an important food source for many aquatic animals. The skeletal remains of diatoms are the main constituent of diatomite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatom¹

1835–45; < New Latin Diatoma originally a genus name, feminine noun based on Greek diátomos cut in two. See dia-, -tome

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatom¹

C19: from New Latin Diatoma (genus name), from Greek diatomos cut in two, from diatemnein to cut through, from _dia- + temnein to cut

Example Sentences

For seven weeks, the team will slowly melt the hard-won ice, releasing ancient dust, volcanic ash, and even tiny marine algae called diatoms that were locked inside when water turned to ice.

From BBC

“Those diatoms in that diatomite is what gives rise to the oil in Los Angeles” and the automobile and aeronautical industries, Hendy said.

From Los Angeles Times

Diatomaceous earth, a powder made from fossilized diatoms, dries out the exoskeletons of roaches.

From Salon

Sea lions — and other marine mammals — become poisoned when they eat large amounts of fish or invertebrates that have been chowing on the contaminated diatoms.

From Los Angeles Times

Team members also utilized diatoms, a type of siliceous microalgae preserved within the sediments that is sensitive to changes in salinity, to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental changes that occurred following the 1964 earthquake.

From Science Daily